Nutrition Trips For Navigating Those Summer BBQ’s

Summer is upon us. While this means a ton of delicious fresh produce, it also means BBQ season. Along with this comes an overabundance of weddings, reunions, and other events. I find almost every weekend in the summer has one such event, which means I need to have a plan. If I overindulge at every event I do not feel good. I know the next day will be spent feeling bloated and irritated with myself. I’ve learned a few tricks over the years and I’m going to share them with you here.

Start With The Veggies

If you’re planning on having more than one plate, start with a plateful of veggies. Vegetables contain lots of fibre and will leave you feeling satisfied at the end of the meal. This will make it easier to pass on some of the treats being passed around.

Get Your Protein

Protein is another nutrient that can help satisfy your hunger. It will also help with blood sugar stabilization. When it comes to BBQs, I often pass on the bread (gluten or otherwise) because I would rather try some other foods, and find that bread makes me feel uncomfortably full. A few patties with a load of veggies on top or a lettuce bun will leave you feeling full and content.

Skip The Sugary Beverages

Straight up, they aren’t worth it. They disappear before you know it. Most of the time you don’t even remember drinking them. Stick with water, tea, or coffee, and save the sugar for dessert.

Plan to have ONE dessert

Go in with a plan. If you attend a BBQ/other event knowing you’re only going to have one dessert, you won’t have to worry about over-eating on sugar. It’s amazing what having a plan ahead of time can accomplish. You can enjoy that dessert without feeling guilty, and go home with a happy belly.
You won’t always get it right and that’s okay. Take it one event at a time, and go in with a plan you intend to stick to.